A Bolton man has been sentenced to an eight-week curfew after sending offensive social media messages.

Damien Barlow, of Eskrick Street, Bolton, was ordered to wear an electronic tag for eight weeks at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court on April 18, 2024.

The 34-year-old, who pleaded guilty to the offence in March, must remain at his home address between 7pm and 7am for the eight-week period after sending racially aggravated offensive messages to a woman, who The Bolton News has chosen not to name, between July 21, 2023 and July 24, 2023.

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Barlow has been ordered not to contact the woman directly or indirectly until at least April 2026, and is subject to a year-long community order with 25 rehabilitation days.

He has also been ordered to pay compensation of £200, which will be paid in weekly instalments of £5 increments.

Barlow’s conduct was found to have contravened the Crime and Disorder Act and section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act, carrying a maximum sentence on summary conviction of six months’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.